The private investigator appointed by President Bola Tinubu to probe the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Jim Obazee has summoned the chairman of Titan Trust Bank (TTB), Tunde Lemo, over the acquisition of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc.
In 2021, TTB acquired major stake in Union Bank. The takeover was completed the following year.
Obazee, in his report, alleged that some persons were used as proxies by a former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, to set up TTB and acquire Union Bank.
He also alleged that Emefiele used proxies to acquire Keystone Bank without evidence of payment.
TTB and Emefiele have both debunked the allegations.
However, in a letter dated December 24, 2023, and signed by the head of operations, Office of the Special Investigator, DCP Eloho Okpoziakpo, the TTB chairman, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, was directed to report at the Department of Force Intelligence opposite the Force headquarters, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja on Thursday, where he is expected to be questioned over the Union Bank acquisition.
Lemo was further instructed to come along with the promoters of TTB, Cornelius Vink and Rahul Savara, to meet with the team of special investigators.
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Obazee’s invitation to Lemo followed an interview the latter had with PUNCH where he debunked the allegations and referred to Messrs Vink and Savara as “prominent global entrepreneurs and having thriving businesses in Nigeria…”
The investigator said Lemo’s defence in the interview was “contrary to the statements, made under caution, by the persons connected with these transactions, including your good self, before the Special Investigator at the Department of State Service in August 2023.”
Part of the letter summoning Lemo and others read, “Accordingly, you are hereby invited to come along with Messrs Cornelius Vink and Mr Rahul Savara to meet with the Team of Special Investigators by 2pm on 28th December 2023 at the Department of Force Intelligence, Opposite Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Shehu Shagari Way, Area 11, Garki, Abuja; without fail or excuse.”
It added, ‘’Please, inform them to come along with all the documents/information requested from them by the letter to Mr Cornelius Vink dated 28th August 2023 (attached herewith as Appendix 1). You will also be required to make additional statements to your earlier statement on that day.
“Kindly note that if Messrs Cornelius Vink and Rahul Savara refuse to attend this meeting and provide/defend the requested documents/information, it will be construed that they have decided to forfeit their purported shareholdings in TTB and Union Bank of Nigeria; irrespective of which vehicle that they are using to own the purported shares.
“Should you also refuse to attend the meeting to provide additional statement to your earlier statement made in August 2023, it will be construed that you misled the Nigerian public with your reaction in the PUNCH Newspapers today which has gained wide publicity in both electronic and print media.”
The investigator explained that the invitation was to further ensure that ‘’it is beyond reasonable doubt that the Federal Government of Nigeria has given you a fair hearing.’’
